Grace To All

 Thought for Today - January 4, 2023

 Grace To All!

 By: Robert A. Searles

 “Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1: 2. 

Grace, the unmerited favor of God, which God gives to those whom he chooses. Thank God he has chosen me to be the recipient of his grace. God has poured out his riches upon me at Christ's expense. For he paid it all for me on Calvary's cross. 

 “He was wounded for my transgression, he was bruised for my iniquities, the chastisement of my peace was upon him, and with his stripes I am healed.” Isaiah 53. 

 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1: 4-7 

 Friend, do you have the peace of God? The peace of God comes as the result of - “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself; that in the dispensation of the fullness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him: In whom we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” Ephesians 1: 7-12

 Friend, if you are reading these lines, if you have heard the gospel message, you have also been chosen of God to be a recipient of his grace, to stand blameless before God, redeemed by his blood. Salvation is free to all who will believe and receive.

 Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 

                                   Psalm 26: 7

A Goodly Heritage

  Thought For Today - September 28, 2022

 A Goodly Heritage!

 By: Robert A. Searles 

 “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” Psalm 16: 

In spite of all the difficulties and problems we may face from day to day, how fortunate we are if we have been the recipient of God's grace and have been saved and born again into God's family.

 I thank God for my salvation. I thank God for a Savior who was willing to leave the splendor of heaven and come to earth to rescue me. I thank God for Calvary; the old rugged cross; the death, burial and resurrection of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I thank God for the person of the Holy Spirit who is my constant companion, my guide and my overseer. I thank God for the written word of God, which administered by the Holy Spirit, is my source of nourishment and renewed strength as I feast upon it. 

Yes, because of God's amazing grace, I am a fortunate person. I do have a goodly heritage, the lines are fallen unto me in a pleasant place.

 “I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved, therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell: neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16: 7-11 

  Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry  

                                Psalm 26: 7

Take Heed!

 Thought for Today - May 24, 2023

 Take Heed!

 By: Robert A. Searles 

Jesus said: “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew24: 4. 

 To take heed means to be careful, to be discerning, to analyze carefully what we hear from others, to see if what we are hearing is indeed according to truth.

 We hear many voices all the time. There are many so called experts in every field of endeavor offering their seminars of advice, but we need to be very careful when we listen to the advice of experts in the field of religion and theology lest we be led away from scriptural truth and be swayed by every word of false doctrines.

 Search the scriptures daily to determine if what you are hearing is indeed scriptural truth. This also applies to any other area of our lives. There are many counselors in many different areas of life, but be careful of whom you take advice on any subject. God's word tells us that: “Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, nor standeth in the way of sinners, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, in his law doth he mediate day and night, he shall be like a tree planted by the river of waters, his leaf shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1

 The word of God is a lamp unto our feet, able to guide us, and direct us wherever we go and whatever we do;. Christians have a God given light that others do not have. Not that we should boast, but that we should be wise as serpents and harmless as doves and walk in the light of knowledge that we have from God our Father. 

 “Let no man deceive you with vain words: For because of these things comneth the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. ( For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth:) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 

Wherefore he saith, awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise redeeming the time. Because the days are evil wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5: 6-17.

 

Bring Forth Good Fruit

 Thought For Today - September 24, 2022

Bring Forth Good Fruit!

 By Robert A. Searles

 We are not to judge one another. No one is qualified to pluck the mote out of his brother's eye while he still has a beam protruding from his own, nevertheless, we are to be discerning, and we ought to know which fruit comes from which tree

No one is above his master, but we Christians all ought to desire to be as our master, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ought to abide in him, and in his word even as a branch is attached to the vine so that our fruit might be good fruit .

 “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.” Luke 6: 43-44

 In this world of practical things, we ought to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We ought not to associate and derive wisdom and counsel from those among us who might be likened unto the thorns and bramble bushes, where we know that we will obtain nothing but sour and poisonous fruit.

 We ought to first of all seek our fellowship with our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the first fruit of all that is good and wholesome, and wonderful, and then our earthly associations and sources of wisdom and counsel ought to be with those who are attached to him, and abiding with him as the branch is attached to the vine. 

 We can know when we have found the good fruit, for: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of the heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundnce of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6: 45 

Telehelp Publications Christian Litrature Ministry

                                  Psalm 26: 7

Here To Serve

 Thought

 For Today - September 23, 2022

 Here To Serve

 By: Robert A. Searles

 Once we are saved, we are left here on earth to serve the Lord, and to continue his ministry of reconciliation and good works which Jesus began when he was with us on earth. Now, the members of his body, being many and scattered throughout the world, having been anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit, can accomplish great things for him if we are willing and obedient servants. 

We are left here on earth after we are saved, not to do our own will but the will of him who saved us.

The repeated routine of every day life does not make a lot of sense unless we realize why we are doing it. We work to buy food, clothing, and shelter, and some luxuries so that we can take proper care of these bodies, and be happy. Why do we do these things? It ought to be so that the Holy Spirit which lives within us can use us to accomplish great things for the glory of God. 

 “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100: 1-5 

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                Psalm 26: 7

Bless the Lord at all Times

 Thought for Today - June 1, 2023

 Bless The Lord At All Times!

 By: Robert A. Searles 

 “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Psalm 103: 1 

 We who are Christians and know of the mercies of God ought to spend the remainder of our lives blessing and praising the Lord for all his goodness to us. How wonderful to know that he has forgiven all our iniquities, past, present, and future, and we will never again come unto condemnation. How wonderful to know that our once sin sick soul has been healed from the plague of the dominion and power of sin, and sin has no more power and dominion over us to keep us in its' prison.

 The loving kindness and tender mercies of God has redeemed our life from destruction. As the mother bird feeds its' young, God daily fills our lives with good things. All things work together for good to them that love God. I am so glad that God hath not dealt with me after my sin, nor rewarded me according to my iniquities, but he sent his only begotten son to die in my place and take my sin upon himself and pay the penalty for me, and as far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgression from us.

 My friend, if you are not yet a Christian, if you have not yet believed in the only begotten son of God whom God sent to earth to manifest himself to sinful men, and offer himself a sacrifice for the sin of the world, I admonish you to receive him by faith, and ask him to forgive your sin, and come live in your heart and give you eternal life. Then as millions of others will testify along with the psalmist, you will have gladness and joy in your heart, and you will have reason to bless the Lord Jesus Christ all the day long with all that is within you.

How Long, Lord?

September 21, 2016 How Long, Lord? By: Robert A. Searles “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, forever?. How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy, my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13. Sometimes when we have problems and trials, it seems that either God has forgotten us and abandoned us forever, or that he doesn't even exist. Satan, our enemy, would like to have us believe his lie. We know that God is true, and that eventually we shall rejoice in our salvation and sing unto the Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with us.

Choose Righteousness!

 Thought for Today - June 2, 2022

 Choose Righteousness! -  By: Robert A. Searles

 If we must make a choice between riches and righteousness, if we must choose between mammon and Christ, then Christ and his righteousness must be our choice if we are truly the “born again” children of God. 

“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” Proverbs 11: 4-8

If we must live wickedly to obtain riches, then we are fools because wicked living leads to death; but righteous living in Christ leads to the true riches, that is: to be joint heirs with Christ forever and enjoy the riches of our father's house forever. We do not have to do wicked works to live wickedly. We are wicked from the beginning. We were born with a wicked nature to do evil. Righteousness is imputed to us when we by faith receive Christ as our Lord and Savior.

 “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in he house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

                 Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                                       Psalm 26:7

Run With Patience The Race That Set Before Us

 

 Thought For Today - September 22, 2022

Run With Patience The Race That Is Set Before Us!

 By: Robert A. Searles

 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1,2 

 Let us as Christians run the race so that we might receive the crown. We are called to be saved, and called to loose our life in our Savior so that we might gain eternal, everlasting life, but we must be willing to walk as he walked, and endure afflictions as he did and be a partaker of his reproach and his suffering in this present world.

 Seeing that we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, we as Christians are in the arena of life and all the host of heaven, the host of hell, all the saints that have gone on to glory, and those who are yet alive are in the grandstands to see how we will run the race of life and to cheer us on. We need to put aside everything in this life, whether it be spiritual or material, which would tend to weigh us down and hinder us from doing the will of God

. We know that we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive for the things we have done in our bodies in this life; therefore we ought to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and like him, for the joy that is set before us, endure the trials and afflictions and minor annoyances of this life with full assurance that one day when the race is run, we shall share in his inheritance, behold his glory, and be as he is. It is better to suffer afflictions with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a moment.

 We must be diligent lest that for one tiny bit of advantage or comfort in this life, we do not dishonor God and sell our birthright and loose our rewards and inheritance.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literatur Ministry

                                  Psalm 26: 7

 Thought For Today - September 2, 2022

 Because He Lives! 

By: Robert A. Searles

In the midst of all his trouble and afflictions, Job could say: “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for my self, and mine eye shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” Job 19: 25-27

 This kind of assurance and faith would enable anyone to endure the light afflictions of the moment in light of the immortality promised to us in the word of God to all who are the redeemed of the Lord.

 Nothing can hurt, and nothing can destroy that which God has ordained forever. Christ our Lord came to earth to save sinners. Death could not hold him. He was the first fruits of all them that sleep. Through him, and by him we have everlasting life. This mortal shall put on immortality. This corruptible body shall put on incorruption, and we shall be preserved forever in the presence of our blessed Lord.

 Take heart dear Christian friend, some day the clouds will clear away, and the son of God shall appear. “The dead in Christ shall rise first, and we who are alive and remain on the earth shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. So shall we ever be with the lord.” Believe it! Receive it! And enjoy it! This is your comfort, your strength, and your joy. That which God has ordained forever cannot be altered by men, nor time, nor circumstance.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                    Psalm 26: 7

Have We Heard From God This Morning?

  

Thought for Today -  April 8, 2023

 Have We Heard From God This Morning?

 By Robert A. Searles 

 Have we heard from God this morning? Every day we go to the mail box and receive letters and information from our loved ones who are separated from us by time and distance. We rejoice greatly when we have heard from them. How about the lover of our souls? Have we heard from him this morning? If we do not hear from God every new day then we are indeed in trouble. We become dry and barren and unfruitful spiritually. We were so made and designed by God to be as Jesus said – like branches from a tree that draw their life and sustenance from the vine and its' roots. If we have not heard from God today, is it because God has not spoken? No! God has spoken but we have not listened. “And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not....”Jeremiah 7: 13. God was up before we were this morning, rising up early and speaking. If we have not heard from him it is because we are deaf to his voice. God speaks in a still small voice of calm, in the stillness of the night, and the quietness of the morning. “Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen. I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10. Psalm 23: 2 says: “he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Sheep will not drink where the waters are turbulent. They must drink from still waters. The good shepherd leads his sheep to still waters. The great shepherd of our soul leads us to still water where he can speak to us and allow us to draw our sustenance from him. If we have not heard from God this morning, perhaps it is because we have not followed our shepherd to a place of still waters where we can hear his still small voice of calm. “There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God” We need to stop whatever we are doing, and sit down or lie down, and believe that - “God is, and that he is the rewarder of all them who diligently seek him.” Believe That - “God is spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” “Enter his courts with praise and thanksgiving.” Come into his courts in the name of his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Put everything out of our mind except God and the glories of his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Be quiet before him, recall the promises of his word. God is speaking to us from his written word in the still small voice of calm by the Holy Spirit. Let us be quiet and listen, We will hear from God and be blessed.

Keep On Sowing! By: Robert A. Searles When we go forth to sow the seed of the word of God, we must expect that not every single seed that we sow will take root and grow and bring forth fruit for the glory of God. Just as when the farmer sows seeds of grain, some seed will fall by the wayside and be lost, or the birds will devour them. Some seeds fall into rocky places where there is not much to nurture them, and they are left for the sun to wither them away. Some seeds fall among thorns which choke them up and hinder their growth. When the word of God falls upon an unsaved person's ears for the first time, if God has not prepared that person's heart to receive the seed of the word, even as the farmer has prepared the soil to receive the grain seed, then the seed falls upon dry ground, and Satan is ever around and ready to snatch away the seed of the word of God. Some people have had their hearts stirred by God and are ready to receive God's truth, and for a little while the seeds spring forth, but before long the heart is dried up and hardened by trials and tribulations, and no fruit is produced. Then there is the seed that has fallen among thorns. The thorns represent those who at one time, with joy and gladness, have received the word of God, and for a time it sprang up in them to produce healthy plants for the Lord and for a season bore fruit; but because of associations with the wrong kinds of people, or associations with worldly things, the cares and riches of the world, have choked them and now they no longer grow and bear fruit. But there is always that small percentage of seed which is sown and falls into good ground. The good ground is the person who hears the word and understands it, and in him the word grows and bears fruit. We who are sowers of the word of God must not become discouraged when some of our seed falls by the wayside, or upon dry ground, or among thorns, because some will always fall upon good ground. That which falls upon good ground will bring forth abundantly for the Lord. “And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth, and when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them, but other fell unto good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13: 3-9. “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it, yet hath he no root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulations or persecutions arise then because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed unto good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit ,and bringeth forth some an hundred fodl, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13: 18-23. Brought to you by: Telehelp Publications Christian Loiterature Ministry www.telehelppublications.blogspot.com www.telehelp-publications-bookshelf.myshopify.com

Blessed is he whose sins are forgiven

 Thought for Today - August 27, 2022

Blessed Is He Whose Sins Are Forgiven! By: Robert A.Searles

 Oh! How blessed is the one whose sins are forgiven, whose iniquities are remembered no more! How it blesses my heart and soul to know that there is forgiveness with God! If God should hold grudges, as it were, and mark our iniquities, who should stand?

 “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3: 10

. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God with the exception of one, and that one person, our blessed Lord and Savior was perfect in all his ways and he who was sinless himself , bore all our sin and shame on the cross when he died for us; but praise God! He rose again the third day, proving that he is God and that God the Father had accepted his sacrifice of himself as the propitiation for all our sins. For as many as will receive it by faith, there is forgiveness with God for all our foolishness when we bow before him, acknowledging our folly and ask for his mercy to be bestowed upon us

Weary sinner, come to the foot of the cross and see Jesus dying in your place. Let the drops of his blood fall upon you by faith, and realize that divine blood was shed for you, and that because of the price that was paid, you are valuable to God. Then by faith visit the empty tomb and see that it is indeed empty: that he is not here but was raised for our justification, and because he lives, be sure that all of us who have put our trust in him shall live also.

 Wandering prodigal, far from home, far from the Father's fellowship which you once knew, come home. 

To borrow the words of the hymn writer: Will L. Thompson -  "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling-calling for you and for me.  See on the portals he's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.  Why should we linger and heed  not his mercies,  mercies for you and for me ?  Time is now fleeting, moments are passing, passing from you and from me.  Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, coming for you and for me.  O for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me. Tho we have sinned He has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me.

Come home! Come home! Ye who are weary come home!  Earnestly, tenderly,  Jesus is calling - calling  O sinner, come home!"

 There is forgiveness with God. Come back to the fold, come apart from the world. Our father is ready to kill the fatted calf and put a ring on your finger and clothe you with his righteousness.

 Oh yes! Thank God, there is forgiveness with God. “If thou Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” Psalm 130: 3-5.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                              Psalm 26: 7

 Thought For Today - September 5, 2022

Choose Life! 

 By Robert A. Searles

 “Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way , which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7: 13, 14 . 

If we are saved, and if we know that we are saved and on our way to heaven, stop and think of just how fortunate and blessed we are.

 Of all the multitudes of people in the world, we are among the few who are saved and have heaven and the paradise of God to which we can look forward. 

Most people who have been born into this world, and there are multitudes, both dead and living, who have walked the broad highway of death and eternal destruction, and will spend eternity in hell, having neglected, and rejected God's offer of forgiveness and salvation. 

How precious we ought to esteem the grace of God that has been extended to us through the Lord Jesus Christ! How we ought to treasure this great inheritance we have in Christ! 

 Relatively few people have received it, although God is not willing that any should perish, and his grace is extended to all who will hear and respond to his call. Blessed are all those whom God has caused to be born into the family of God and have entered the narrow gate that leads to eternal life How great is our God, and how great and how precious is our salvation! 

 Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 

                                 Psalm 26: 7